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Physics Entrepreneurship Program
Curriculum
PHYS 491: Modern Physics for Innovation I
Goals
The purpose of the course is to provide an understanding of physics as a basis for successfully launching new high-tech ventures. The course examines physical limitations to present technologies, and the use of physics to identify potential opportunities for new venture creation. The course provides experience in using physics for both identification of incremental improvements, and as the basis for alternative technologies. Case studies are used to illustrate characteristics of recent commercially successful (and unsuccessful) physics-based venture creation., including .
Syllabus for PHYS 491, Modern Physics for Innovation I
In order to provide maximum flexibility for students in Physics Entrepreneurship, the course is taught at night, and meets once a week. Class time includes both formal lectures on the physics content, as well as weekly discussion of case studies. Experience in the application of physics to the solution of problems is provided through weekly problem sets. Guest speakers with particular expertise are used where appropriate.
The course is based on an integrated presentation of four running themes:
- Review of physics principles and techniques relevant to problems of high tech innovation. These will be developed throughout the semester, and will include (but not be limited to): quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics, physics of materials, computational physics, electromagnetism, non-linear dynamics.
- Application of physical principles to problem solving for improvement of existing technologies. Examples will be drawn primarily from examples which have led to patents.
- Study of case studies of successful physics-based technological innovation. These will include (but not be limited to) major technology platforms such as the development of the transistor and its descendants, the laser, magnetic resonance imaging, doppler radar, and the world-wide web (invented at the European Center for Particle Physics for particle physics applications).
- Analysis of the role the background business and entrepreneurial environment plays in defining the success or failure of a proposed physics-based new high-tech venture.
PHYS 492: Modern Physics for Innovation II
Goals
The purpose of the course is to provide an understanding of physics as a basis for successfully launching new high-tech ventures. The course continues the themes of PHYS 491, but with an emphasis shifting to current and prospective opportunities for the successful launch of physics-based high-tech ventures.
Syllabus for PHYS 492, Modern Physics for Innovation II
PHYS 492 continues the integrated presentation of the themes introduced in PHYS 491, but with an emphasis on current and near-term opportunities for Physics Entrepreneurship. In addition, longer term opportunities for Physics Entrepreneurship in emerging areas are reviewed. These will include (but not be limited to):
- Nanoscale physics and nanotechnology
- Biophysics and applications to biotechnology
- Physics-based opportunities in the context of information technology
PHYS 493: Feasibility and Technology Analysis
Type of Course: Core STEP
Course Objective:
The primary goal of this course is to provide the tools needed to determine whether a technology innovative is feasible for commercialization. Such tools include but are not limited to: financial analysis, market analysis, industry and technology analysis, and intellectual property protection. Additional topics include introduction to the entrepreneurial process and culture, introduction to entrepreneurial strategy, funding a venture, and presentation techniques.
The course features multiple world-class guest lecturers from a variety of backgrounds and is taught in the evening.
Student Deliverables:
The final deliverable is a technology feasibility analysis on a chosen innovation in the student's scientific area. Shorter term deliverables include: problems sets (pro formas), case group papers, discussion of course reading, and delivery of presentations.
PHYS 494: Technology-Based Venture Creation
Type of Course: Core STEP
Course Objective:
The primary goal of this course is to provide the advanced tools needed to develop a new venture creation plan based on an innovation that has been determined commercially feasible. Additional topics include: advanced entrepreneurial strategy, sales and negotiation, entrepreneurial finance, and leadership in an entrepreneurial environment. It is strongly recommended that “Technology and Feasibility Analysis†is taken as a prerequisite to this course.
The course features multiple world-class guest lecturers from a variety of backgrounds and is taught in the evening.
Student Deliverables:
The final deliverable is a technology-based new venture creation plan (business plan) of an innovation in the student's scientific area. The plan must have completed pro formas financials, a market study, and an alternative technology analysis. Additionally, students will be responsible for course reading, case group papers, and delivery of presentations and sales pitches.
Technical Elective
- A 400-level or higher physics course or other technical elective appropriate to an individual student's program of study, as approved by the Physics Entrepreneurship Program Committee.
Restricted Elective
- A course in science, engineering or management appropriate to an individual student's program of study, as approved by the Physics Entrepreneurship Program Committee.
Master of Science Thesis (University "Plan A")
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The Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) requires students to write a thesis in order to graduate with a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics Entrepreneurship. The subject of the thesis must be a project of significant time investment on the part of the student and must be grounded in the real world (i.e. not simply an academic exercise). Because of this, STEP students must either 1) work for an existing company/organization or 2) work on their own project with the intention of starting a company. Because of the time constraint of an 18-month curriculum, STEP students are encouraged to begin this project (i.e. working as an intern, employee, or entrepreneur) as early as possible.
The following general information on master's theses can be found in the University Bulletin:
- For completion of master’s degrees under
Plan A, an oral examination (defense)
of the master’s thesis is required. This
examination is conducted by a committee
of at least three members of the university
faculty, and the candidate’s Thesis
Advisor customarily serves as the chair
of the examining committee. The other
members of the committee are appointed
by the chair of the department or curricular
program faculty supervising the
candidate’s course of study. The examining
committee must agree unanimously
that the candidate has passed the thesis
examination. Because theses are made
public immediately upon acceptance, they
should not contain proprietary or classi-
fied material. When the research relates to
proprietary material, the student and Advisor
are responsible for making preliminary
disclosures to the sponsor sufficiently
in advance to permit timely release of the
thesis, and these plans should be disclosed
when the thesis is submitted to the School
of Graduate Studies.
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